With school in just a few days and everything that I have to get set up, I know that I won't get everything done, but I will manage to do as much as I can. During the next couple of days, I unpacked so many boxes and I hardly got sleep, but before I knew it, it was finally the first day of school. Just because I use the word 'finally' doesn't mean that I'm too excited, trust me. Anyway, I woke up, ate breakfast, got dressed, and left my apartment. I begin to walk slowly because I seem to be early and everyone keeps passing me on the sidewalk, so I just keep my head down and move forward. When I got inside, I found my locker and decide to sit down, since I have about twenty extra minutes. I start reading through the literature textbook, when somebody decides to sit down next to me. I could feel my face turn red and I don't want to look up. I really don't feel like talking to anyone just yet, but then they start a conversation.
"Hey there, Hayley. Uh, ya remember me, right?"
Of course I did, it was Donovan, my next door neighbor! I look up at him with that neighborly smile.
"Yeah, I remember. Hi Donovan."
I want to keep our conversation going, but I just don't know how. I've never really done that before. Luckily, he made an attempt to continue on.
"So, I see you're interested in the English class here? It's a great program here. Can I see yer schedule?"
"Yeah, sure."
I rummage through my bag and find it in a few seconds and I hand it to him. He carefully studies the names of the teachers and the times. He then handed it back to me and was pointing to something on the paper.
"Look, here. We have two classes, English and music. I didn't know that'cha were interested in music. What can ya do?"
I already knew what I liked to do, yet I still had to think for a few seconds.
"Oh, uh, I like to sing, just not really in front of anyone..."
"Aw, that's a shame. Well, ya should try to do that someday. I promise ya, it's not as bad as it may seem. It's quite exciting, I should know. I love to sing, and I play guitar, too."
"Wow, that's really impressive, that's probably why I can't play it."
I laugh pretty awkwardly, once again. He seems like a person who would take well to humor. He chuckled a little, which made me feel better.
"Haha, well, maybe I can show ya how to play sometime."
"That would be pretty cool. Yeah, I could give it a go."
Just as I finished my sentence, the bell rang and it was time to go to class.
"C'mon, Hayley. We should get to English now."
"Okay."
He picked up both of our books and we started to walk to class. I didn't like passing all of these strange people in the tiny hallways. I feel my shoulders tensing up, and apparently it showed. Donovan moved a little closer to me.
"It's alright. Everyone here is very nice."
That made me smile. I really like the idea of someone protecting me like that.
We finally get to class and he handed me my books back, as we took a seat. The teacher stands up and introduces herself.
"Hello everyone. Ma name is Mrs.O'Boyle. Welcome to the American English class. And speakin of American, we have a new student who has come to join us all the way from America. Come now, why don't ya introduce yourself."
I look down to my desk as I twist my hair. Great, I just got here and I'm already being called out. I shake a little before finally attempting to get up.
"Uh...okay..."
I wearily get up and made it to the front of the classroom. I can see my hands shake a little as I slowly looked up. And, as I did, my eyes began to widen and I lose my words and voice. What am I supposed to say? Just as I was about to stutter something, Donovan gets up, walks over to me, and whispers something in my ear.
"Everythin is okay. Just remember what I told ya. Everyone here is really very nice, they won't judge anyone here, I promise."
I liked the words that he was saying, but I still don't like being in front of everyone. I'm still in panic mode. I whisper something back to him.
"C-can you stay here, please?"
"Of course I will."
I take a deep breath and face the class once again.
"Well, uh, hi. I'm Hayley and I am from America. As you can probably tell, I'm not the best speaker, but I certainly try. I'm not the most social person, but I respect anyone who talks to me. And, uhm, that's really it."
I try to smile a little and Donovan brought me back to my seat and whispered again to me.
"I knew ya could do it."
He smiled at me and patted my shoulder. I did do it, and I'm glad that it's over, but I'm a little proud as well. The teacher walks back of the front of the classroom and applauds.
"Very well done, Hayley, and thank you as well, sir. Why don't we learn about everyone else now, shall we?"
Everyone else introduced themselves and we were told the lessons that we would learn throughout the year. And before I knew it, class was over. It's fifteen minutes less than the classes back at home. Anyway, I caught up to Donovan before he went to his next class.
"Hey, uh, thanks for helping me up there. I probably would've said something stupid if you didn't."
I have the urge to smile a little, so I did. He smiles down at me.
"I think that'cha did really well up there. That'was all you, great job."
I have to laugh a little, he can think what he wants to, but he is the reason that I kept my cool.
"I'll see ya in music class, and remember, everyone here is extremely nice, they love new students."
He waved to me as he walked away to his next class. I wave back as I watch him disappear behind a corner of lockers. My first class was done, but now I just had to get through to eighth period, and it is not going to be easy. Throughout the day, I had to be in front of the classroom, just to introduce myself while everyone else got to stay in their seat. So if you were me, you could imagine that I've had enough by now. And now, it is eighth period, which means that I can reunite with Donovan. And I find my way to the music room and quickly sit down. Donovan got there not too long after I did, and he took the empty seat next to me. He glances over to me and I knew that he could tell that something was bothering me.
"Hey there, what's the matter?"
I heavily sigh and tell him.
"Wow, it must be really obvious. Well, I don't like how every teacher has called me up to the front of the room to introduce myself, while everyone else got to stay in their seats and carried on. It's not-!"
Donovan's eyes widen and so do mine. I never really raised my voice, and I didn't like it at all. I could tell that he didn't really care for it either. Then, I lowered my voice so that people could hardly hear me.
"Uh...it's not my ideal way of getting to know people. But, if it's what the teacher wants, then that's okay with me."
He looks a little concerned at me, but then smiles with reassurance.
"It's alright to be a little mad, this must be a lot for ya to take in. I completely understand."
He laughed a little, which made me laugh, as well. The bell rang, for the last time today, and everyone was settled in. The teacher began to talk, then looked at me, and I knew what that meant. He called me up to introduce myself, and that's exactly what I did. When I finish, I sit back down and slump in my seat. Just as the teacher wanted everyone else to introduce themselves, Donovan raises his hand and walks to the front of the classroom. As he was about to go back to his seat, the teacher said that he wanted to talk to Donovan out in the hall. They came back a few seconds later and he sat down next to me, and I start to get a bit worried.
"Did you get in trouble?"
"Nah, he just wanted to know why I went to the front of the class to introduce myself. I didn't want ya to feel alone up there. I know, it's hard sometimes."
"Really? Well, thank you. I feel a bit better now."
I smile at him and we turn back to face the teacher, and the rest of the lesson. Finally, class was over and so was the school day. Donovan walked me back to my locker, so I could grab my things, and as we were about to leave I wanted to ask him a question, but I was a bit reluctant.
"Hey, uh, Donovan. Can I walk home with you...I mean if it's okay with you and all..."
He smiles and laughs at me.
"Of course, only if I can take ya somewhere a little later on. It's one of my favorite places to be."